Nepal is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of bio-diversity due to its unique geographical position and altitudinal variation. The elevation of the country ranges from 60 m above sea level to the highest point on earth, Mt. Everest at 8,848 m, all within a distance of 150 km resulting into climatic conditions from sub-tropical to Arctic.

phoksundo-lake
Phoksundo Lake

 

Nepal occupying only 0.1% of the total landmass of the earth is home to:

  • 2% of all the flowering plants in the world
  • 8% of the world’s population of birds (more than 848 species)
  • 4% of mammals on earth
  • 11 of the world’s 15 families of butterflies (more than 500 species)
  • 600 indigenous plant families
  • 319 species of exotic orchids

Area 147,181 sq. km

Location Situated between China in the north and India in the south, east and west

Capital Kathmandu

Population 25.8 million

People Nepal has more than 101 ethnic groups and 92 spoken languages.

Language Nepali is the national language; travel-trade people understand and speak English as well.

Religion Nepal is a secular state with a pre-dominance of Hindu and Buddhist population.

Currency Nepali Rupee (approximately US$ 1 equals Rs. 112.78 as of May 2019)

Political System Federal Democratic Republic

Climate Nepal has four major seasons (1) Winter: December-February, (2) Spring: March-May, (3) Summer: June-August, (4) Autumn: September-November. Monsoons are from June till mid September. Nepal can be visited the whole year round.

What to Wear Light weight clothing is recommended from May through October. Warm garments are required in October-March. An umbrella or a raincoat is a must for the rainy season.

 

mustang-tk-people-2

 

ENTRY PROCEDURES

a) Tourist Visa

Visa Facility Duration Fee
Multiple entry 15 days US$ 25 or equivalent convertible currency
Multiple entry 30 days US$ 40 or equivalent convertible currency
Multiple entry 90 days US$ 100 or equivalent convertible currency

 

b) Gratis (Free) Visa

  • Gratis visa for 30 days available only for nationals of SAARC countries.
  • Indian nationals do not require visa to enter into Nepal.

 

(For further information, please contact Department of Immigration, Kalikasthan, Kathmandu, Tel: +977-1-4429659, Web: www.nepalimmigration.gov.np )

food-culinary_3-3

WORLD HERITAGE SITES

There are four UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Nepal. Two are in cultural category and two are in natural category. World Cultural Heritage Sites of Nepal are: Lumbini, the birth place of Lord Buddha, and seven monuments of Kathmandu valley within a radius of 20 km (together counted as one Heritage Site). The World Natural Heritage Sites are Chitwan and Sagarmatha National Parks. Kathmandu valley World Heritage Site comprises of three historical palaces Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur Durbar Squares; two Buddhist stupas Swayambhunath and Bouddhanath; and two Hindu temples Pashupatinath and Changu Narayan. Nepal offers incomparable scope to connoisseurs of art and culture to see and study different aspects of fine arts in its paintings, sculpture, wood carving and architecture.

 

Nepal’s Unique Treasures

Mt. Everest Highest Point on Earth

everest-mp-adventure-4

Kumari The Living Goddess

kumari

Lumbini- Birth Place of Lord Buddha

lumbini

 

Outdoor Attractions & Activities

Few destinations in the world can match Nepal in the variety of world-class experience be it mountaineering, trekking, mountain biking, nature tours, culture tours, pilgrim tours, white-water-rafting, canyoning (cascading), kayaking, canoeing, mountain flights, pony trekking, jungle safaris, bird watching, fishing/ angling, paragliding, ultra-light aircraft ride, bungy jumping; we have it all. Special interest tours like orchid tours, culture trek, honey hunting, village tours, fossil hunting, meditation courses, Shamanism-Panimism tour, cave tours, snow leopard and blue sheep trek and other kinds of tours are carried out for select groups throughout the year. For organizing your tours, please contact: Nepal Association of Travel and Tour Agents (Tel: 4418661, 4419409, Web: www.natta.org.np) or Nepal Association of Tour Operators (Tel: 4418999, Web: www.nepaltouroperators.org).

Trekking

Nepal is the ultimate destination for the trekking enthusiast offering a myriad of possibilities from the short and easy to the demanding challenges of the snowy peaks. Easy, moderate or rigorous there is something for every one. Nepal has aptly been called Trekkers’ Paradise as her terrain mountains, hills and the Terai offer some of the most spectacular trekking routes in the world. The immense contrasts in altitudes and climates found here support an equally spectacular mix of lifestyles, vegetation and wildlife. Trekking in Nepal is as much a cultural experience as a Himalayan adventure. In the shadows and foothills of the icy pinnacles of the Himalayas, one passes picturesque charming villages inhabited by diverse ethnic groups. Treks vary from expeditions, high altitude treks to simple easy paced walks. For more information about trekking; please contact Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (Tel: 4427473, 4440920, Web: www.taan.org.np).
trekking

Mountaineering

With eight of the highest peaks in the world, including Mt. Everest, it is hardly surprising that Nepal has been the stage for some of the most outstanding achievements in the world of mountaineering. The dauntless icy peaks have since decades challenged the bodies and spirits of the daring ones. All inquiries and arrangements for expeditions have to be made well in advance at the Ministry of Tourism & Civil Aviation, Mountaineering Section, Bhrikutimandap (Tel: 4256231/2, Fax: 4227281, Web: www.tourism.gov.np) where the guidelines have been laid down.
mountaineering

Rafting/Kayaking/Canyoning

Few rafting rivers in the world can match the thundering course of the rivers of Nepal originating from the snow meltdown of the Himalayan terrain. The rivers gush through the twisted canyons, winding through calm valleys where small settlements are perched on the banks, taming out only as they spill out into the Indian plains to merge with the Ganges. A river-trip is one of the best ways to explore the typical cross-section of the country’s natural as well as the ethno-cultural heritage with massive doses of adrenaline buzz on our world-class white-water thrills. An extreme sport popular in Europe, canyoning is now available in Nepal. It involves abseiling, jumping, sliding, climbing along waterfalls and steep cliffs to deep pools, giving the canyoneer the freedom to explore beautiful under-water landscape.
canyoning

Village Tours

Village tours allow visitors to experience a stay in a typical Nepali village. This gives visitors an opportunity to observe the rich Nepali cultural tradition from the closest quarter and intermingle with the locals. Besides, any expenses made at that level directly contribute to the welfare of the local community, hence giving the visitor a sense of satisfaction. Village tours are conducted in Sirubari, Briddim, Ghalegaun, Ilam and other places.
village-tour

 

For More Information:

Nepal Tourism Board

Tourist Service Center

Post Box: 11018

Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu, Nepal

Tel: +977-1-4256909 Fax: +977-1-4256910

E-mail: info@ntb.org.np

Web: www.welcomenepal.com